Original subtitles

♪If not for you♪

♪I wouldn't have wanted to make a name for myself♪

♪Only when I have your love♪

♪Is my invincibility not in vain♪

♪The towering peaks I've conquered♪

♪Leave me♪

♪Feeling empty♪

♪I've given everything♪

♪Just to follow you♪

♪Through life and death♪

♪Could it be that love♪

♪Is the true end of this life♪

♪Why does every battle♪

♪Bring deeper pain♪

♪I never got it♪

♪You once promised me♪

♪You'd give me ordinary days♪

♪Then I'd rather♪

♪Face blades and fall♪

♪Into your arms instead of the clouds♪

♪I'll pass through layers of fog♪

♪And barriers♪

♪The world's rights and wrongs, wins and losses♪

♪Who's to weigh their worth♪

♪Only love♪

♪Gives me a sky as wide as the sea♪

♪I only want to be your hero♪

=The Prisoner of Beauty=

=Episode 1=

Grandfather,

what kind

of person is Wei Shao?

You should know his grandfather first.

When I first became the Governor of Yanzhou,

I held a Deer Hunt,

inviting lords

of various states

to a hunting game.

(Xiaoqiao) But actually,

(Qiao Gui's Granddaughter)

I meant to

make allies.

We were

like old friends from the start.

(Kangjun, Yanzhou)

I can never repay you for bringing us water

through the canal.

(Qiao Gui, Governor of Yanzhou) Now,

let these antlers be the tokens

(Wei Lun, Lord of Wei) of our alliance

with Yanzhou.

Lord Wei...

From now on,

whoever dares to invade Yanzhou

will be Wei's enemy.

The Qiao and Wei Clans

will live and die

together.

As will we.

In the following years,

I built the Yongning Canal

(Yongning Canal) between Panyi and Xindu,

allowing Wei

to have water

and us to have protection.

(Panorama) 14 years ago,

Bianzhou sent Li Su

(Wei Bao, 1st Grandson) to invade Wei

(of Wei Lun) and seize Xindu

(14 Years Ago, Xindu, Wei State)

to break our alliance.

Grandfather,

the Qiao Clan sent no one.

They must've turned their backs on us!

That rat Qiao Gui!

Are you going to drag us

into war for a verbal alliance?

Father,

we've offered Wei enough supplies over the years

for your friendship with their lord.

We've promised to

(Qiao Yue) send troops.

(Qiao Gui's 1st Son) Withdrawing them is

(Qiao Ping, Qiao Gui's 2nd Son) betrayal!

We can use a pretext.

Father,

please make a decision immediately.

(Young Xiaoqiao)

Manman just threw moon blocks

for divination.

This is the will of Heaven.

Withdraw!

Father!

Stop it, Shao.

(Young Wei Shao)

Shao,

remember,

do not believe anyone.

Grandfather was tricked by the Qiao Clan

and ended up like this.

You're the Wei Clan's only hope.

Brother, promise me

not to shed tears ever again!

Father!

This city belongs to Bianzhou now.

It's Chen's.

Throw them into the pit

and bury them with the captives.

(Li Su, General of Bianzhou) Kill all men

in Xindu in the next three days!

Yes.

You meant to protect Yanzhou

from war, didn't you?

To sacrifice one or all?

It would've been hard for me to choose, too.

Wei Shao and his troops have come

to recapture Xindu from Li Su.

At this point,

if we send our troops to assist Li Su,

Wei Shao might not win.

But if we do nothing,

and he captures Xindu,

he'll invade Yanzhou next

and seize Panyi.

What to do then?

The late Lord of Wei's wife,

Lady Xu,

(Lady Xu, Wei Shao's Grandmother) is far-sighted.

I'd like her approval for a marriage alliance

to bury the hatchet.

Is it to marry my cousin to Wei Shao?

If such a marriage alliance

can resolve hatred,

that'll be the best.

But Wei Shao saw his grandfather,

father, and brother being killed.

We have no idea if he bears

grudges against the Qiao Clan.

I wonder

what exactly he's like.

(Wei Shao, Lord of Wei)

(Kangjun, Yanzhou)

Here, toss! Over here!

Toss it over!

- Try and hit me, too. - Here.

Give me that.

You hit me!

Hit her!

(Daqiao, Qiao Yue's Daughter)

Good. Over here.

- My turn. - Hit her. Come on!

Stop!

Hit me if you can.

Toss it to me.

(Bi Zhi, Groom) Catch it!

Wait. Time-out.

Let me try it.

It's my turn.

Manman.

- Give me that. - Manman.

Manman,

what's been troubling you lately?

Can't you tell me about it?

Wei Shao

has had Xindu besieged for days.

I wonder how things are there.

You don't seem worried at all.

Wei Shao's target is Xindu,

not our city.

Why bother to worry?

Won't he attack us after seizing Xindu?

Will he?

Bi Zhi, toss it over!

Cousin,

the only way to keep Yanzhou from war

is to form a marriage alliance.

In that case,

you'll be married to Wei Shao.

Marry me

to Wei Shao?

(Qiao Mansion, Yanzhou)

Liangya's heir, Liu Yan,

came with one of his uncles.

(Xiaozao) His father sent an envoy

(Xiaoqiao's Maid) to propose marriage to you.

I'm

the Liangya Royalty's envoy

to propose marriage with betrothal gifts.

(Liu Shan, Liu Yan's Uncle) I heard a tale on the way.

I wonder if it was true.

(Liu Yan, Liangya's Heir) Back then,

when Lord Qiao Yue

(Lady Ding) married you, Lady Ding,

(Qiao Yue's Wife) your dowry

was worth 10,000 taels of gold.

It spread for miles on the streets.

If our heir is to marry

Miss Xiaoqiao,

Governor,

will her dowry include a fief?

Uncle...

Young Master,

once Wei Shao seizes Xindu,

Yanzhou will be in danger.

You probably don't know

that my father and Lady Xu

of the Wei Clan of Wei have agreed

to marry my daughter, Daqiao, to the Lord of Wei.

He'll be my son-in-law.

If Young Master Liu marries my niece, Xiaoqiao,

you and the Lord of Wei will be in-laws, too.

How could we be in danger?

Uncle,

I struggled in misery in childhood.

I couldn't have come this far without you two's help.

Cousin Xiaoqiao and I

grew up together.

See?

Our heir has always been

grateful and loyal.

In this case,

how about we

set the wedding date today

for these childhood sweethearts?

Here.

I toast you all.

The Liangya Royalty's betrothal gifts

for their heir, Liu Yan,

include a pair of wild geese,

one million coppers,

ten duan of silk,

twelve hu of baijiu,

twelve hu of rice,

twelve hu of proso millet,

two sheepskins,

and a lynx.

Lynx?

(Xiaotao, Xiaoqiao's Maid) It's more like a weasel.

It is a weasel.

You probably don't know

how hard it is to get a lynx.

We didn't have time to hunt

while rushing all the way here.

Besides,

don't most families use weasels?

We aren't any family.

Yes.

Sure.

How's everything, Uncle?

Offering them a weasel is good enough.

A lynx is hard to come by.

Manman,

Liu Yan's feelings for you

matter more than such formalities.

You've been bonded since childhood,

unlike your cousin,

who'll be married into a deathtrap.

(Wei Liang, General of Wei)

(Wei Qu, General of Wei)

(Wei Xiao, General of Wei)

(Wei Duo, General of Wei)

Guys,

shall we eat or not?

Cut it! I'm starving!

Hurry!

Have a bite.

Add seasoning.

Lord, our feet are itchy

when we can't fight.

Xindu is right ahead.

Can't we charge into it?

Or do you think we can't?

Besiegement is better than attack.

The Central Plains always

struggle with drought.

Li Su doesn't have enough provisions.

We can

seize Xindu without battle.

Be patient.

What are you doing?

They lack food, don't they?

I'm letting them know

that not only do we have food

but we also have meat to eat.

Lord.

Advisor.

- Advisor. - Advisor.

(Gongsun Yang)

(Wei Shao's Advisor) Lord.

Lady Xu sent a letter.

What did my grandmother say?

She meant to

marry a girl to you.

I had sworn to my grandfather

to kill Li Su and the Qiao Clan.

I won't marry anyone

until I take my revenge.

Yes.

Whisper to me.

Who did Lady Xu pick

to marry our lord?

What does she look like?

Let's see it! Come on!

Qiao of the Qiao Clan.

Qiao of the Qiao Clan?

(Mr. Gongsun,) Calm down.

(We can resolve hatred)

(by marriage.) Think about it.

After seizing all those cities

and getting to Xindu, our troops need to rest.

Were we sandwiched by Qiao's and Li Su's troops,

we might be in grave peril.

How dare

those traitors push my grandmother!

If I

seize Xindu now,

she'll have

nothing to worry about, right?

Guys,

move it!

Lord!

Lord!

A reckless raid is likely to fail!

Yah.

(Wei) Yah.

14 years ago,

the Qiao Clan betrayed our family,

causing them to be killed

and Xindu to be captured.

The enemy is

right in front of us.

Everyone,

let's go

to kill Li Su

and the Qiao Clan!

Kill Li Su

and the Qiao Clan!

Kill Li Su

and the Qiao Clan!

Kill Li Su

and the Qiao Clan!

Kill Li Su

and the Qiao Clan!

(Xindu) Kill Li Su

and the Qiao Clan!

Kill Li Su

and the Qiao Clan!

Let's go!

Wei Shao, you brat!

I'll kill you!

Yah.

Yah.

Yah.

(This scene is required by the plot. Do not imitate. Be kind to animals.)

Charge!

(Xindu)

(Qiao Mansion)

Manman,

don't worry.

Yanzhou is your home.

Once Wei Shao and I marry,

Liangya will treat you

with great respect.

Fan.

As much as I hate to marry Wei Shao,

I can't elope with you either.

Bi Zhi,

we'll have to part soon.

Wei Shao...

I'll challenge him to a duel

to stop him from marrying you.

A mere groom like you

isn't his match.

You're up.

I can't sleep.

I have something to discuss with you.

What is it?

After the New Year,

Chunniang and I

used our spare time

to sew this wedding gown for you.

Now that Wei Shao and I are engaged in haste,

I'll leave before you.

May I

wear this instead?

Both of us are getting married.

How come

your dowry is more than mine?

I'll tell my mother

to give you more.

Or take whatever you like

from my dowry.

I'm not competing with you.

It's just that

once we part,

we're unlikely to meet again.

I'd like to keep something you value

as a memento.

Whenever I miss you,

I can look at it for comfort.

Don't you want these clothes?

Here you go.

Anything else?

These are yours, too.

Is there more?

I sewed this myself.

I haven't worn it yet.

What else?

I mean,

by giving me

those things you cherish,

you can show how much you love me.

No, not that one.

Trust me.

I'll keep

all these safe.

I'll give you

whatever you want

as long as

you'll live happily with your husband.

As will you.

Between the two of us,

if you can

have a happy marriage,

that'll be enough.

Between the two of us,

if one can have a happy marriage,

that'll be enough.

Get changed.

I'll take you to a place.

Manman,

- where are we going? - Hurry!

Manman, what...

what are you doing?

If you truly love him,

then go with him.

I can't.

You have to.

If you married Wei Shao,

your life would be ruined.

I'm the Governor's daughter.

I've been supported by our people.

It's time for me to take responsibility.

If I say

I'll marry Wei Shao instead,

will you allow it?

You can't!

- He... - He's the worst. I know.

Listen,

women's marriage can only go two ways.

One is yours

to grow old with your love

and lead a normal life.

The other is mine.

I don't need my husband's sweet love

but his status and power.

I used to like Young Master Liu,

but now, I realize

he doesn't deserve me.

He looks down on Yanzhou

and me for fear of Wei Shao.

In that case,

why don't I marry Wei Shao

to make the Liu Clan of Liangya

bow to me?

If you didn't hide anything,

you must've given me

all your valuable things.

Your konghou is too heavy.

I took off its strings for you.

You won't blame me, will you?

Manman, you...

Manman!

Manman...

Sit tight.

I'm helping her elope with you

to keep her from harm's way.

But if I find out you mistreat her,

I'll hunt you down for sure.

If you do love her wholeheartedly,

when the time's right,

I'll put in a good word to her parents

and help you rise.

Miss, if you need my help in the future,

I, Bi Zhi, will go through fire

and water for you!

Manman!

Set out now

before it's too late.

Manman!

Manman!

Bi Zhi.

Manman!

Manman!

She's unsophisticated.

Leaving with Bi Zhi is

much better than

marrying the Lord of Wei

only to be torn to pieces.

Miss,

what are you going to do next?

Check the stable again. Go!

- Yes. - What about her room?

- Not yet. - My Lady!

- Go now! - Yes.

Miss Daqiao left a letter.

What happened?

Where's she?

Where's she?

Darling.

(Farewell, Mother. Do take care.)

What to do?

Without Fan, who will marry the Lord of Wei?

The Letter of Marriage has been sent.

Lady Xu has given her approval.

If the Lord of Wei

attacks us for the breach,

what... what should we do?

(Zhang Pu, Qiao Yue's Aide) We'll fight to the end!

Ci,

look at our clansmen.

Can any of them fight?

I suggest

we send Zhang Pu to Xindu

to tell the Lord of Wei the truth

and make an apology.

What? I can't handle

the wrath of the Lord of Wei.

Tell him...

tell him Fan was abducted

on her way to...

the temple!

That's a terrible idea, Lord!

Wei's troops are formidable.

I can't go there alone.

It's the jaws of death, Lord!

Lord, I have a solution.

Say it.

Now that Miss Daqiao is gone,

why not...?

Do you... mean

to marry Manman to him?

Brilliant!

- Darling. - Nonsense!

Are you out of your mind?

Good.

That's perfect.

She and Liu Yan have engaged.

Wei is strong while Liangya is weak.

We can't afford to annoy Wei,

or we'll meet our doom!

Brother,

don't you know Wei Shao?

If we marry Manman to him,

won't we be pushing her off the cliff?

Do you have a better idea?

The priority is

to find Fan and bring her back.

Fate can't be avoided.

(Xindu, Wei State)

14 years ago,

I ordered a three-day massacre,

yet you managed to survive.

Are you curious

about how I escaped death?

Back then,

I killed your grandfather, father,

and brother.

Too bad,

I only have one life.

It's worth it!

Really!

Lord, what should we do with him?

Kill him.

That's too easy for him.

Throw his pieces into a case.

Stop!

Lord,

don't kill him!

Advisor.

Chopped and done.

(People's Wall)

That was reckless, Lord.

Everyone knows the feud between you and him.

If you kept Li Su alive,

you'd gain public support.

What could that do?

Li Su must die.

Although you've seized Xindu,

restoring it

requires people's help.

14 years ago,

after the massacre by Li Su,

the old and young left

built this wall with their families' belongings

to honor the deceased.

It's been so long.

The war has taken a heavy toll on them.

- A wedding at this time can... - I know.

You want me

to get married

for the greater good, right?

Lord,

our troops have to recuperate now.

No further action shall be taken.

I disagree with you.

It's better to press on

to seize Panyi.

Manman,

you grew up under my watch.

With your intelligence,

you may or may not go far,

but you can at least protect yourself.

Grandfather,

I'm thinking

that to make the Lord of Wei

ally himself with us as I wish,

we need to find out

what he wants from me.

Panyi is

the gateway of Yanzhou

crisscrossed with rivers.

If Wei Shao means to seize Yanzhou,

Panyi will be his first target.

If I offer it as my dowry,

he'll certainly marry me, right?

You're smarter than your uncle and your father.

Too bad, you're a girl.

I can't keep you.

Manman...

Did Heaven mean to bless

or punish the Qiao Clan

that it gave a talent like you to us?

What else should I know, Grandfather?

Be good

to him

and the Wei Clan,

alright?

The debt I owed 14 years ago

has to be repaid by you.

Here's the Seal of Panyi.

Keep it safe.

Thank you, Uncle.

Manman,

don't blame me.

I won't.

Manman,

write to us regularly.

♪The sun sets at home♪

♪Lighting up the land♪

♪I travel alone to the moon♪

♪Against the stars♪

♪Looking back on each step♪

♪I'm coming♪

♪Fate's fickle; the journey's long♪

♪Mixed feelings intertwine♪

♪Tearful eyes meet at the sharp edge♪

(Qiao)

♪The hardest to quit♪

♪Sacrifice one for a ceasefire♪

♪Peace will last♪

Water is the softest in the world.

I've been taming it my whole life.

Overcome hardness with softness.

Keep that in mind

and you'll live.

If the lord is

captivated by you,

don't forget to gain

more benefits for Yanzhou.

Lord,

the provisions, troops, and horses

in town have been counted

and registered.

What about the households?

The locals...

They refused to cooperate.

Why?

They must've been

misled by Li Su's nonsense.

Forget it.

It's not important.

That's fine.

They'll come around in a while.

Lord!

Lord,

Qiao's wedding procession is

about to reach the city gate.

(Qiao)

Are you seeking death?

Handing yourself to me on a plate?

My bow!

Lord.

Lord, wait!

Hold on.

The Qiao Clan means to make peace.

Why not go along with them

and marry that girl?

You'll gain Panyi.

Gain Panyi?

Without striking a blow.

It's too good a deal.

Think twice, Lord.

Is her dowry

that generous?

(Xindu)

"The waters are too beautiful

thanks to the pretty duo."

The "pretty duo"

refers to Qiao's two girls.

(Xindu)

Let them in.

Open the gate!

(Xindu)

Tomorrow,

we'll negotiate the marriage with their envoy.

Why not get some rest, Lord?

I asked to see you

for that matter.

Xindu needs rejuvenation.

The priority is

to gather the locals

to rebuild defense works.

This isn't

the time for the marriage.

Those two things

aren't contradictory.

Think about it, Lord.

Picture the forces

on the Central Plains as a whole.

Doesn't it look like a deer?

Yanzhou

(Yanzhou) is the head.

(Wei State) Wei lies in the stomach.

(Bianzhou) Bianzhou makes the spine.

And Liangya becomes the hooves.

(Liangya)

(Panyi) Panyi

stands much higher

as the gateway of Yanzhou.

Doesn't it resemble that deer's heart?

Yanzhou will

offer us the heart

only if we become allies.

That's the price to pay.

If

she hands over Panyi to me,

I won't kill her.

That's the best I can do.

Your name precedes you, Mr. Gongsun.

I admire you.

We've finally met.

You really are one of a kind.

I'm flattered.

I'm not as talented as you, Mr. Zhang.

Yanzhou is

indeed a land of talent and bliss.

Panyi of all is

well-known for its waters.

I had a chance to visit it years back.

It's been so long.

I wonder

how it looks now.

You know,

it happens to be part of the dowry

our lord prepared for Miss Xiaoqiao.

After the wedding,

you may come along to visit it again.

That'd be great.

If that's the case,

why not

hold the wedding there?

Well,

Xindu is majestic for its mountains.

Having the wedding here

matches the Lord of Wei's charisma.

Xindu isn't as rich as Panyi.

It was struck by war not long ago.

Everything needs to be rebuilt.

Panyi isn't as well-guarded as Xindu.

This marriage is of great significance.

It can't take any risks.

The climate in Panyi is better.

The temperature in Xindu is better.

Panyi is Miss Xiaoqiao's hometown.

Xindu is the Lord of Wei's territory!

Miss,

why are they arguing over the venue?

Wei requests

that we hand over the Seal of Panyi before the wedding.

Our request is vice versa.

What if they change their mind

after getting the seal?

That's why we cannot compromise on that.

Go.

Xindu was shadowed by death.

14 years ago,

tens of thousands of people died here.

Say no more.

If Yanzhou

doesn't act in good faith,

you may go back

with the bride.

♪The moonlight is as silent as the deep sea♪

♪From afar♪

♪It once lit up dreams with a breath♪

♪But vanished with a sigh♪

♪Brushing past my fingertips♪

♪My heartstrings were stirred quietly♪

♪As if we once met before♪

♪Holding back a love so deep♪

♪Love asks for nothing in the end♪

♪Leaving only obsessions♪

♪I've wandered in the world♪

♪Yet cannot have it all♪

♪We meet and part in the fires of war♪

♪Embracing, leaving tender marks of love♪

♪With one breathtaking glance♪

♪How could I ever forget♪

♪I would cross mountains and seas♪

♪To spend time with you♪

♪When we grow old♪

♪Nothing will change♪

♪The misty rains never cease♪

♪Falling gently on your brow♪

♪Lingering in my heart♪

♪I would sever fate's ties♪

♪To protect your smiling eyes♪

♪Even if behind me lies a storm♪

♪No matter the trials♪

♪I carry this longing for the journey♪

♪This life♪

♪Will not be in vain♪

♪I would cross mountains and seas♪

♪To spend time with you♪

♪When we grow old♪

♪Nothing will change♪

♪The misty rains never cease♪

♪Falling gently on your brow♪

♪Lingering in my heart♪

♪I would sever fate's ties♪

♪To protect your smiling eyes♪

♪Even if behind me lies a storm♪

♪No matter the trials♪

♪I carry this longing for the journey♪

♪This life♪

♪Will not be in vain♪